Why "Gentle Parenting" is out, "Sturdy Leadership" is in, and how to stop your parents from getting scammed by AI.

This week, the parenting pendulum is swinging back.

We look at the mom who went viral for raising her kids like it’s 1985—no Xbox, no shoes, and definitely no guilt about serving carrots for dinner. Plus, why Dr. Becky Kennedy says it’s time to stop being "gentle" and start being a "sturdy pilot" when our kids hit turbulence.

It’s a heavy week for news, too. We discuss the reality for families with trans kids right now, and the heartbreaking vigil in Sault Ste. Marie for fathers fighting to see their children.

Finally, we talk about the other people we take care of: our parents. The world shrinks as you get older, and loneliness is a killer. We look at:

• AI Companions: Why robot friends like ElliQ aren't as dystopian as they sound.

• Mental Health: How Total Life is getting seniors into therapy without the stigma.

• The Grandparent Scam: AI voice cloning is terrifyingly good. We explain how it works and the one "safe word" trick that stops it cold.

• Tech Support: Why you should stop fixing their printer and send them to a "Today at Apple" session instead.

Links & Resources:

• Total Life - Therapy for Seniors

• Today at Apple Sessions

• Newsweek: The Mom Parenting Like It's 1985

• SooToday: Equal Parenting Vigil

Find more at SocialDad.ca

Today we’re saying the quiet parent thoughts out loud. 🙃

From “Dads aren’t babysitters” to “your kid doesn’t need a perfect childhood, they need a soft place to fall apart,” we’re running through a whole slate of spicy-but-kind hot takes about modern parenting.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why “back in my day…” advice doesn’t always work for kids growing up with iPads and group chats

• The difference between gentle parenting and zero boundaries

• Toddler meltdowns, public judgment, and what our reactions are teaching our kids

• Screens as survival tools vs screens as babysitters

• Red flags in kids’ products and “smart” toys

• The pressure to be a “content creator” parent while staying sane and keeping your kids’ privacy intact

If you’ve ever reheated the same coffee three times and questioned everything you’re doing as a parent, you’re in the right place.

When the feed gets weaponized, who cleans up the mess? This episode digs into coordinated harassment, doxxing, and AI deepfakes that silence women — with facts, hard feelings, and practical ways you can help.

Key takeaways:

1. Deepfakes and AI “nudify” tech are lowering barriers to image-based abuse; the volume of complaints is large and takedowns are slow.  
2. Even prominent women get targeted — the Phica scandal in Italy shows how doctored sexual images are used to humiliate and politically attack women.  
3. Platforms have policies but enforcement at scale often fails; regulation (e.g., the UK Online Safety Act) and targeted laws are part of the solution.  
4. Children and teens are already being harmed by AI-enabled bullying — schools and parents need updated policies and education.  
5. You can help: document abuse, use reporting channels, support victim-service orgs, pressure platforms and lawmakers, and don’t amplify harmful content.  

Instagram just rolled out a major safety update for teen accounts, and it's one every parent should know about. In this episode, we break down what the new PG-13 content filter means, how it works, and why Meta says it's the most significant change since Teen Accounts launched. From filtered content to stricter parental controls and new AI age detection, we explore what this update actually does—and what it doesn’t. Whether your teen’s already on Instagram or you’re debating when to let them join, this conversation will help you feel more informed, more prepared, and maybe even a little more hopeful about navigating social media as a parent.

In this special ADHD Awareness Month episode of SocialDad, host James opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD at 42 and how it completely changed his life as a dad. Joined by co-host Sam, the two explore how ADHD really looks in adults, why so many people go undiagnosed, and how new research and tools—like the online platform FasTreat—are making diagnosis and treatment easier than ever.

They dive into global ADHD trends, from Canada’s rise in school diagnoses to Finland’s movement-based classrooms, and talk honestly about parenting, mental health, and learning to embrace your brain’s quirks.

It’s funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly real—a must-listen for dads, parents, and anyone trying to make sense of their own busy mind.

ADHD Awareness Month, ADHD in dads, adult ADHD, ADHD diagnosis, FasTreat, parenting and ADHD, ADHD in education, ADHD Canada, ADHD treatment online, fatherhood podcast, SocialDad

The SocialDad Podcast is back! After a well-earned break, I’m back behind the mic with a fresh season full of good news, real parenting talk, and cozy fall vibes.

In this comeback episode, I’m sharing a few uplifting stories from around the world (including one about a very good therapy dog), some easy autumn crafts that don’t cost a fortune, and simple comfort-food recipes that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing. We’ll also talk about new tech updates parents should actually know about—like Apple’s latest screen-time feature and AI tools showing up in schools.

Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s kick off the new season of The SocialDad Podcast together.

#Parenting #DadLife #GoodN

According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and LGBTQ youth who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those who felt low or moderate social support, proving that educational resources and support do make a difference.

“Research shows that LGBQ+ youth suffer more than heterosexual youth from depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns,” said Conrad. “This correlates directly to a high suicide rate. Resources for LGBTQ+ must be vigilant and accessible in order to foster well-being.”

Find Kollyn and Publicly Private here:

https://www.publiclyprivate.org/

https://www.instagram.com/pblclyprvt/

Are you and/or your kids a bit of a mess on school mornings? That's ok. Today we go through a few quick and easy tips I've learned to help kids and parents on hectic mornings. 

Content lives forever, what we hear isn't always true, and how algorithms can keep us from getting new opinions. Social media and an online world keeps changing and we need to be able to help our kids navigate it safely and that starts with education.